Texas Divorce Tips
One divorce attorney's reactions to family law issues.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Question from Seminary #6
Last month I was invited to speak to the counseling class at Southwest Theological Seminary. They prepared a few questions in advance. This is one of them.
Do you see any significant differences that people's Christian faith plays in their attitudes toward divorce?
First, a soapbox/smokescreen. I think that much (but definitely not all) of what the Bible says about divorce is related to the fact that a man could upgrade to a trophy wife and leave the previous wife uttlerly destitute financially. Nowadays, in the USA, a divorced wife is unlikely to starve to death or sleep under a bridge.
I also have been told that the divorce rate among Christians, perhaps especially "evangelical" or "fundamental" Christians is actually higher than in the general population. Is it, in part, that Christians are more likely to formalize their union in the first place?
I think that Christians feel more guilt when a marriage goes bad, whether it's their fault or not. They really see it as having failed in a commitment to God and their spouse. But, they also recognize that while it takes 2 to marry, it only takes 1 to quit.
But I also see that Christians are more likely to have a support group to help them through the divorce, if they can get beyond their shame and seek the help.
Do you see any significant differences that people's Christian faith plays in their attitudes toward divorce?
First, a soapbox/smokescreen. I think that much (but definitely not all) of what the Bible says about divorce is related to the fact that a man could upgrade to a trophy wife and leave the previous wife uttlerly destitute financially. Nowadays, in the USA, a divorced wife is unlikely to starve to death or sleep under a bridge.
I also have been told that the divorce rate among Christians, perhaps especially "evangelical" or "fundamental" Christians is actually higher than in the general population. Is it, in part, that Christians are more likely to formalize their union in the first place?
I think that Christians feel more guilt when a marriage goes bad, whether it's their fault or not. They really see it as having failed in a commitment to God and their spouse. But, they also recognize that while it takes 2 to marry, it only takes 1 to quit.
But I also see that Christians are more likely to have a support group to help them through the divorce, if they can get beyond their shame and seek the help.
Labels: Christian divorce
posted by Hal Davis | 4:22 PM
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